Car-platform



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. A. OOWELL.

Gar Platform.

No. 231,407. Patented Aug. 24,1880.

WITNESSES J mvzmur: %M/ m,m R W,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. A. GOWELL.

Oar Platform.

Patented Aug. 24, 1880.

' WITNESSES lNVENTQR ATTORNEY WAS N. FErERS. PHOTO LITNOGRA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

RENSSELAER A. OOWELL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CAR-PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,407, dated August 24, 1880.

Application filed December 29, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Beitknown that I, RENSSELAER A. OownLL, of Cleveland, in the county of (luyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Platforms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to railway-cars; and it consists in the following parts and combinations, as hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure .1. is a plan view of a device constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal section thereof, taken through the line 3 y. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same device, taken through line a: a", Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached View, showing the cam for in creasing or diminishing the tension of the supplemental or yielding platform-springs. Fig. 5 represents my device in operation.

Sheet 2 of the drawings represents modified forms of construction of certain parts of the device, as will be hereinafter explained.

In the said drawings, A represents an end portion of the bed-frame of a car, being that portion directly under the passenger-platform. B is the end of said frame which abuts against the next adjoining car. The central forward portion of the part B is chambered, as shown at B, Fig. 2.

O is a supplemental or yielding platform, made preferably of metal. This is folded around the upper front and under surface of the portion B, as shown in the drawings, and is loosely attached, being permitted longitudinal movement to the extent of the slot 0.

The supplemental or yielding platform 0 is held in its outward extended position by the force of one, two, or more springs, D, which are located within the chamber B. These springs are placed between teats or lugs formed upon the inside vertical portion of the supplemental or yielding platform 0, as indicated in the drawings, and a rocking bar, E.

The bar E is connected or attached to a cambar, F, in any suitable manner to permit of a vibratory, rocking, or oscillating motion to the bar E.

The rear end of the bar F is formed into a bevel or cam, F, for engagement with the revolving cam G, which said revolving cam G is located immediately behind the rear end of the bar F. A handle, G, is attached to the cam G for the purpose of operating the said cam, in the manner to be hereinafter shown.

One of the principal objects of my invention is not only to insure a perfect coupling of the cars, but to effect this result without necessitating the severe pressure on the compressionplatforms which operates to jolt the passengers and injure the cars and locomotive.

My device, as shown in the drawings, is so constructed that the supplemental or yielding platform 0 can be placed under a greater or less spring-tension, according to requirements.

When the handle G is moved so that the cam Gr presses the bars F E forward to their extreme limit, then the springs D are compressed and the supplemental or yielding platform 0 placed under its highest spring-tension and will yield less readily, but will yield more readily when the bar G is reversed to such a position that the cam G does not operate and the springs D are released. In this position the supplemental or yielding platform 0 will yield to a comparatively gentle pressure, and this is the position of parts that should be had when coupling the cars; but when coupled the position first described for the highest spring tension should be resorted to.

The object of allowing the bar E to rock or tilt is to permit a similar motion to the supplemental or yielding platform 0. This allows of an accurate juxtaposition of the supplemental or yielding platform 0 to adjoining cars while said cars are rounding a curve. Thus a continuous unbroken platform or footing is provided between cars at all times.

Fig. 5 of the drawings represents my device thus operating in this particular.

I do not limit myself, narrowly, to the construction of the bar E, as it may be of any suit able character, my invention more broadly consisting in a cam-bar, F, constructed in any suitable manner to be actuated by a cam device, so that by turning or moving said cam the bar F can be adjusted at pleasure, as may be required, to adjust the yielding platform 0 to the desired degree of spring resistance.

The bar E, as shown in the drawings, might be omitted, and the bar F constructed in such a manner as at the same time to perform as already specified, and to also accomplish the functions of the bar E.

H is a lever intended to act as a lock to the coupling patented by me November fl. 1875, No.169,624. When used in connection with my device herein described its use and operation are as follows: When the supplemental or yielding platform is placed under its highest spring-tension the cam (l bears upon the short lever H, which, in turn, holds the lever ll rigidly in place with its outer terminus hearing upon the coupling device heretofore alluded to, holding the same in place and preventing the accidental uncouplingot' the ears. When the box G is reversed to such position that thecani G doesnot operate and the springs are released. then at the same time the lever H is released, and the cars may he discon-i neoted without ditlieulty.

On Sheet 2 of the drawings the bar I is represented as being constructed in tln'eedifferent ways to provide for its ZHljUSilllUlli\'lZ,, as being provided with a rack-bar and adjusted by a pinion; again, as being provided with worm-shaft and adjusted by a worm-gear, and, again, as being provided with a screw and adjnsted by a hand-wheel. Also, there are rep- I resented three diti'erent forms of devices eonl stitnting the rocking bar E and bar F when made integral with each other. In one form said parts are made in the form of a triangle, with the base provided with lugs for retaining the springs in place, while the apex of the triangle rests against the adjusting-cam. Again, the bars E F are made of T form and ot'a single piece; and, again, the two bars are made of Y form.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. In combination with a supplemental or yielding platform, (J, and adjusting-bar F, any suitable cam device whereby through said bar F the spring resistance of said platform 0 may be adjusted, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

2. The combination, with the supplemental or yielding platform U, of one or more springs, 1), bar 1), cam-bar l and cam G, or its equivalent, whereby through the movement of said cam the yielding or supplemental platform C may be adjusted, substantially as and for the purpose described.

it. The combination, with the yielding platform U, :uljusting-bar F, and cam G, of the lever ll, provided with an arm or short lever, ll, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RENSSELAER A. ()(HVELL.

Witnesses:

.Iivo. taowianL, Jr., WILLARD FRACKER. 

